Job Responsibilities

Patient care specialists are important members of the healthcare team who often hold a high level of experience and ability.  Under the direction of the nursing staff, they provide the most basic level of patient care, for those who need only minimal assistance to those who are totally dependent. Patient care specialists provide the support needed for daily living; this includes duties such as serving meals ensuring nutritional requirements are met, dress, bathe, and assist with other personal care tasks. These specialists take temperatures, pulse, respirations and blood pressures; help patients get in and out of bed or walk, assist with elimination, help patients exercise, and provide assistance in medical procedures and/or postmortem care. This person is often called to do tasks that are physically and emotionally demanding. Patient care is a job that requires heart-felt compassion and a desire to make others comfortable and happy.

Healthcare workers should be tactful, patient, understanding, healthy, emotionally stable, dependable, and have a desire to help people. They should also be able to work as part of a team, have good communication skills, and be willing to perform repetitive, routine tasks. Healthcare workers must be in good health.